Entry Word: pessimistic

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 emphasizing or expecting the worst <with that pessimistic attitude, itʼs no wonder youʼre depressed>

Synonyms defeatist, despairing, hopeless

Related Words cynical, fatalistic; desperate, discouraging, disheartening, inauspicious, unlikely, unpromising; bleak, cheerless, comfortless, dismal, dreary, gloomy; grim; contrary, hostile, negative

Near Antonyms auspicious, encouraging, fair, heartening, likely, promising, propitious; cheering, comforting, reassuring; favorable, good, positive; idealist, romantic, utopian, visionary

Antonyms hopeful, optimistic, rose-colored, rosy, upbeat

2 having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives <pessimistic about the prospects for a lasting peace in the area> — see cynical